History

The 65th Infantry Regiment was one of twelve New York State National Guard infantry regiments that were federalized for service in the Spanish-American War. The 65th Regiment was organized in Buffalo in 1848. During the Civil War the regiment served from 1863 to the war’s completion, participating in the battles at Gettysburg, Petersburg, and Appomattox Court House where Lee finally surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia. The 65th Regiment also saw service in a number of local conflicts, being called out to deal with the canal riot of 1849. The draft riots of 1863, the railroad strike at Buffalo of 1877, the switchman’s strike at Buffalo of 1892 and the lumbrman’s strike at Tonawanda of 1893. The regiment was augmented by the addition of the 13th Separate Company from Jamestown. On May 17th, 1898 the unit was designated the “65th Regiment Infantry, New York Vols.” and mustered into service at Camp Black, NY.

The 65th Regiment left Camp Black on May 19th en route to Falls Church, VA. The regiment began arriving in Virginia in sections on the 20th of May and by the 21st, the entire regiment was present. On May 24th the regiment was attached to the First Brigade, of the First Division, of the Second Army Corp. The 65th Regiment remained in the general vicinity of their encampment, which was officially referred to as Camp Alger throughout the summer until it was ordered to return to Buffalo on September 4th, 1898. The regiment was eventually mustered out on November 19th, 1898.